kukushka

Things have been improving over the last couple of weeks. He still bites and screeches when I do fairly benign things (walking around springs to mind ) but the good thing is he never bites hard any more. He'll give you a nip to show he's upset, but he knows that actual chomping is a big no no. Clicker training is really useful. In my case James is still young and needed to be told what was ok and what wasn't. I think in your case with an older bird it'll be a case of showing him that you are the source of all things good, and he won't want to bite you. Now that James knows I can pull a grape out of nowhere he is much better behaved!

Mine can't say any full phrases yet, but he can belch spectacularly. I think he gets that from me, how embarrassing :unsure:

I think it's tragic if people get rid of their Grey just because it decided never to talk! I decided to get one because I wanted a pet I could really interact with on a daily basis. The thing that attracted me to Grey ownership was definitely their intelligence. My bird says a few words and it's nice that he does, but I'm more interested in the ridiculous things he gets up to when he's left to play. It's hilarious! He's very quiet, and that's fine with me. If he never spoke again, that would be fine with me too. So long as he's healthy and happy, that's all that matters. Of course, the fact that he can talk is amazing, and I love it when he does. Today I asked him if he wanted to go back in his cage and he said "NO!" You can't describe that feeling, and you can't replace it. Amazing.

Thanks everyone. I'm definitely not afraid of being bitten - before my cat got old and mellowed out I used to get bitten and scratched so often I have many permanent scars! I resumed clicker training last night, i.e. biting gets a click and a "no!", and it seems to be working well. I think maybe he's riled by me because I'm the one that makes him do boring things he doesn't like such as go back into the cage. It's strange because he is such a sweet and affectionate thing most of the time, he's just SO suspicious of hands. I guess this is normal. But I have discovered that he will pretty much sell his soul for grapes. I managed to get him to sit on my hand for a grape, which is big progress. I'm trying to establish myself as a sort of grape deity, so that he'll love me forever as the sole provider of grapes Thanks again!

Hello all. So my darling little Grey, whom I love dearly, is very cute and loves to talk and whistle to me, but he (I've decided he's a he until proven otherwise) just will not stop biting. I read the FAQ on biting, which said it happens for the following reasons: 1) It has been taught to bite. I always make sure that biting does not get a response from me. When he bites, I don't pull away. Hence why I have what look like purple snake bites all over my hands and fingers. 2) It feels cornered and is very scared. This is definitely possible, but he's perfectly happy to have his head scratched and to be tickled on his neck and back. It's only when you try and get him to step up or, God forbid - give him a treat, that the whirlwind of biting fury begins. 3) It’s never been taught not to bite. Again, very possible. I do say a firm no when he bites, but I can't put him back in his cage or I will get bitten yet more. 4) It is not getting enough exercise (mind or body). He spends most of the day out of the cage, with exciting toys and people talking to him. I'm pretty sure he has enough stimulation. I'm sure this issue has been raised a gazillion times in the forums in the past and I've read quite a few posts on the subject. I guess what I'm looking for is reassurance that the reason he's doing this is maybe because he's young and scared, and that it will get better. I'm starting to think he just hates me, because my boyfriend, sister and friend don't get bitten. I'm an inexperienced owner and I could sure do with some comforting words right now - I'm writing this a few minutes after the bite to end all bites that has left my good hand completely swollen! Am I just being totally paranoid? He has only been with me a few days and I think maybe I'd be pretty bitey if someone took me home and shoved me in a new cage. Here is a picture, just for fun. Don't be fooled! This is my boyfriend's hand. Mine is all chewed up with missing fingers and exposed bone :lol: Thank you as always for your patience with my lack of knowledge! xxx

I got it from a pet shop that in turn get their birds from a breeder down in England. I have to admit the pet shop owner did tell me how old it is, but I was so busy cooing and ogling that I only caught the word “months” which is pretty bad of me. I went in to the pet shop as part of my research into where would be a good place to get a Grey. I asked them lots of questions and it turned out they knew everything there is to know about parrots and all the staff keep Greys themselves! I fell in love with the birdie they had in the shop and I took it home the other day. It’s a darling little thing. I love it to death.

I'd love to see any name suggestions have, thank you! I have no idea how old. Definitely full-size but definitely not grown-up!

It's definitely more than a few months old. It has grey eyes. I have a picture! It's a scruffy little thing, not very tidy but hey - neither am I. I am fully in lurve. But for the life of me I cannot think of a good name. I thought maybe looking at it would spring a name to mind but so far the only words that spring forward are "no!" "off there!" and "don't chew that!" Oh well. Maybe it'll choose its own name from watching the TV. Ooh I found out a really interesting fact about birds today. People see at a rate of 16 frames per second, and film and TV run at 25 frames per second, which is why they appear to move when we watch them. Birds see at up to 170 frames per second, so TV appears as a still image to them. Weird. Oh! It's fallen asleep on the window frame. How perfectly adorable. Thank you for being happy for me! xxx<br><br>Post edited by: kukushka, at: 2008/06/05 00:06

My baby bird finally arrived. Ok, so it's not exactly a baby but it's still awfully cute. It's currently hanging upside down by one leg from the curtain rail. As you do. I am amazed at how quickly it has learned to speak. When it came yesterday afternoon it could only say hello, but it's saying all kinds of things now. It has also learned to miaow, and copy the clicker I use to tell it it's being naughty. Not surprised about that though :lol: It also went from screeching and biting seven shades of s**t out of me for the first few hours to demanding to be tickled on the head every ten minutes as of today. Oh, I'm ever so pleased.<br><br>Post edited by: kukushka, at: 2008/06/04 23:59

I had the most exciting time at the health food store today, buying a ton of dried beans and seeds. I was like a kid in a candy store! Or...a parrot owner in a health food store (er...) I started making some bean slops for birdie when it arrives tomorrow. Bean slops all round for new bird! Can you tell I'm excited?

I have successfully sprouted beans and things for my own personal eating use, and I intend to do it for my Grey when it arrives next week. I find it very easy; you can do it from dried beans, seeds and pulses from health food shops and it's really cheap if you buy them this way. Just soak them in a little warm water for twelve hours until they go soft, then rinse them and leave them for another twelve hours, rinsing from time to time. The important things to remember are to not soak them in too much water (don't let them swim in it or anything), so make sure the water is warm but not hot, and to rinse regularly after the first twelve hours. You want them to be damp rather than wet. It is normal for them to be a bit whiffy during this time but if they really stink throw them away. You also might have to pick out the unsprouted ones after 24 hours. It's true that if they fail to sprout or always stink when they do then the dried mixture was poor quality. But I'd encourage everyone to try it because it's really satisfying making them!

OK, so I'm getting ready for my new baby coming home next week and I'm keen on the idea of making my own toys as well as buying some. Do you guys make your own toys? Are there things that make good toys that you wouldn't expect? Please share your ideas with me! Thanks.

Ooh, that's good advice. Thank you!

I know that Avocados are bad for Greys, but does anyone know exactly why? Are the poisonous and if so, what part and what chemical? Just curious is all

Thank you! I have managed to secure a cage for £100 that is worth about £300. The shop I'm getting my bird from had it in the basement and it's only been used once. I am very chuffed. Now I just have to go to a DIY store and buy some things to make perches from. What a bust weekend I'm going to have!

Hello all. I'm very curious to find out how many of you have had your Greys DNA tested to find out the sex. I didn't even know this could be done until recently. Everyone seems completely sure of the gender of their bird, so did you find out for sure or do you just assume? I have just put a deposit down on a beautiful Grey and I have no idea of its gender. It will have to be an 'it' for now. I need to think of some good gender-neutral names for the time being! So, did you take the test?

Thanks everybody. A lot of the books I have read gave the impression that once a Grey is bonded to a person then it is pretty much like that forever and not rehomable. I knew this couldn't be true so I wanted to hear from people that actually know, so I really appreciate your feedback. I have a confession to make: I went to the dealership today and put a deposit down on the Grey I fell in love with. What have I done?!?! I take it home next week. Only a week to make a considered cage purchase! I feel like I'm due to give birth in a week and I only just realized I have to buy a crib and clothes and bottles and stuff. Gah I'll never be ready in time! My sister is going to KILL me! She doesn't even know a parrot is entering the household soon!

Thank you all for being so kind to me. I am very excited to read about everyone else's experiences and I think it will be really helpful for me. It's great to have the support of so many nice people! The only problem is that joining here has made me want to get my new pet now now now! I am so excited I can barely contain myself. I thought about getting a dog but I live in a small apartment and I don't know if I can handle yet another animal that likes to pee on my laundry basket (thanks for that, kitten. Really appreciated. Great. Now all my clothes smell of wee). I can't wait to be entertained by the idiosyncrasies of a willful bird.

Hello everyone! I'm not usually a big forum user, so I'm not really sure what I should tell you. I live permanently in Scotland, but I'm originally from Iceland. I'm a film and digital arts student and I'm doing a postgraduate degree in computer programming in the autumn. I have a lot of pets. Two cats, tropical fish, an ancient lizard who I swear is immortal, hamsters and gerbils. I never intended to end up with so many animals but whenever something needs a good home I just can't say no. I don't own a parrot yet, but I will do soon and joining this forum is part of my research into being a good parrot mother. I guess I'm looking for a companion since I spend a lot of time at home and I'm not good at socializing with people, mainly because I have a mild form of Autism. I imagine having a Grey is like having a small child. I like the idea of being responsible for the enrichment of a smart animal's life, as it also enriches mine. It's nice to meet all of you! Kushka.

Thanks again. I'm a bit nervous about getting my first parrot because I know what a big commitment it is, so I want to try and make the most informed decision. I thought maybe my lack of experience would suit training up a younger bird, although my preference is always to give homes to unwanted pets. I have to admit I've sort of fallen in love with a Grey at a local dealership. I went in just to have a chat with the owners and I met this parrot and I totally wasn't expecting to fall in love with it. I was reading about what people said, how the parrot chooses you, and I felt so chuffed that it let me scratch it on the head. I even enjoyed being bitten! (Kushka you weirdo). I felt like maybe this is the one for me. But I SWORE to myself I wouldn't get one until later this summer. I guess it's like having kids; there's no planning for it!

Thanks, that's really helpful. I'll need to think about what exactly I'm looking for in my pet. Just good company I think. I don't mind having a bird that's a bit set in its ways. You should see my cat! She's ancient and grumpy and is only interested in sleep and food, but I love her all the same.

Hello everyone, I'm totally new to this whole parrot-keeping thing. Kept Budgies and other animals before so I'm experienced in animal keeping but I could really do with some advice. I have been doing a lot of research recently with a view to purchasing an African Grey, but I'm not sure whether I should buy a youngster from a breeder or dealer, or whether I should adopt an older bird from someone else. There are always Greys advertised in my local paper looking for new homes (I assume people didn't realise what they were getting in to!) and I like the idea of giving an unwanted pet a second chance. But will an older bird be completely boded with its current owner and totally hate my guts forever? What are the chances that an older bird will bond with a new owner? I'd really appreciate you guys' input! Cheers.